Cattachs in swoop for Fort forward McLeod

Signing is in frame for start tonight Cove Rangers Fraserburgh

Brora Rangers have signed forward John McLeod from Fort William on a two-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The Sutherland club’s captain, top scorer Steven Mackay, yesterday returned to America for business reasons and former Clach attacker McLeod, who has scored 11 goals for Fort already this term, goes straight into the Cattachs’ squad for tonight’s Press and Journal Highland League match against Buckie Thistle at Dudgeon Park.

Brora player-manager Richard Brittain, who has been tracking McLeod for several months, said: “He will complement the existing frontline and will keep our challenge for the league title to the fore.”

Wick Academy players have the chance to stake a cup- final claim tonight when they take on FormartineUnited atHarmsworth Park.

Academy manager Gordon Connelly said: “If the game beats the weather this will be a tough one as Formartine United come here in impressive form. It’s a chance for players to lay a marker down for Saturday’s North Cup final against Nairn.”

United assistant manager Mike Cormack said: “Going to Wick on a Wednesday night is far from ideal but we will just have to get on with it. If you want to win leagues you have got to go to places like Wick and get a win.”

Formartine welcome back central defender Johnny Crawford after serving his suspension but former Celtic, Motherwell and Ross County midfielder Paul Lawson is a doubt after pulling up with a groin injury in the prematch warm-up at Mosset Park on Saturday.

Inverurie Locos will field the same squad which drew1-1 withNairn County on Saturday for their Harlaw Park tie with Fort William, who add goalkeeper Paul MacKennan and talented young forward Nick Stein to their travelling squad. Cove Rangers’ fantastic 16game winning run came to anendagainstFraserburgh in a six- goal thriller at North Lodge Park, Pitmedden, last night.

The Aberdeen side twice fought back from a goal down to preserve their unbeaten record and increase their lead over secondplaced Brora Rangers to three points with a game in hand.

In the 10th minute the Broch opened the scoring when Ryan Cowie’s driven corner kick landed up in the back of the Cove net with the help of adeflection off the boot of former Don Stuart Duff for an own goal.

Four minutes later the visitors almost made it 2-0 but Graham Johnston’s curling 15-yarder sailed just past the far upright.

Cove equalised in the

“Cove Rangers twice fought back from a goal down”

26th minute, and once again it was an own goal, Connor Scully played the ball across the six-yard box and under pressure from Stuart Walker, Cowie turned the ball into hisown net.

In the 35th minute the Broch regained the lead from another brilliant setpiece from Cowie, his perfect free kick was met by Christie and his powerful downward header gave Stuart McKenzie in the Cove goal no chance.

Just before half- time Blair Yule levelled with a tremendous 22-yard drive which flew past the helplessPaulLeask into the corner of the net.

In the 69th minute Cove went in front with a 14-yard curler from Stuart Walker.

Four minutes later Broch levelled with a fine Willie West eight- yard header from another pin- point Cowie free kick.

With four minutes to go Cove were reduced to 10 men when Connor Scully picked up a second yellow card, for simulation.